Best and worst years ›

Kia Sportage: best and worst years

2 generations sold in Australia, rated from our guides

Best bets: QL (2015-2021), NQ5 (2021-2026) (good value in our guides).

2015-2021QL

Good value

Good value: 15 known problems, 2 high-severity. Worst to watch for: HECU (ABS module) fire-risk recall - 2016-2021; Theta II connecting-rod bearing wear.

Year-specific notes in the guide
  • 2016-2021HECU (ABS module) fire-risk recall - 2016-2021
Full QL guide →

2021-2026NQ5

Good value

Good value: 19 known problems, 2 high-severity. Worst to watch for: 7-speed dry DCT shudder, judder and clutch wear; DPF clogging and forced regeneration (short-trip use).

Year-specific notes in the guide
  • 2022-2023Instrument-cluster seatbelt-warning ADR recall (2022-2023)
Full NQ5 guide →

Verdicts are the ratings in each FlamingCars guide; reasons and year notes come from the problems those guides list. Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection.